Renovation of your home in Horsens.
Horsens is Denmark's 7th largest city — a fjord city with an industrial heritage, a prison turned cultural venue, and a housing stock largely built during the post-war growth years. 47% of the city's homes were built in the 1960s–70s and are approaching the end of their service life for roofs, windows and installations. Horsens is a growing city with rising property prices — renovation is typically a good investment here.
Horsens in brief — context for your renovation.
waterA fjord city with salt and moisture
Horsens lies at the inner end of Horsens Fjord. This gives the waterfront a distinctive character — and means that houses close to the fjord are exposed to more moisture and salt. Check façades and windows on homes in these neighbourhoods with particular care.
location_cityA growth city in Jutland
Horsens is one of Jutland's most important growth cities. The transport hub has relocated here, and electronics industry and logistics are prominent. This gives a healthy housing market — renovation in Horsens is typically a good investment. A well-renovated home with an energy rating of B sells quickly and at a good price.
local_fire_departmentFjernvarme Horsens A/S
Fjernvarme Horsens A/S covers most of the urban area. If you have an oil boiler, connecting to the district heating network is almost always the best solution — contact fjernvarmehorsens.dk to check whether your address is in the supply area.
museumFængslet — a city in transformation
The old Horsens State Prison is now Denmark's largest music venue and cultural centre under the name 'Fængslet'. The city centre is transforming — new architecture, new urban life. Søndergade is Denmark's widest pedestrian street.
Your housing type.
Detached house from 1960–1985
47% of homes in Horsens — approx. 23,162 dwellings (source: Statistics Denmark 2025)
Detached houses dominate Horsens and are the largest housing category. The typical home is a brick house with a pitched roof from the 1960s–80s. Many are now approaching the end of their service life for roof, windows and installations.
What's typical?
- — Yellow or red brick, clay-tiled pitched roof
- — 100–160 m² floor area, single storey or one-and-a-half storeys
- — Poured concrete basement or ground slab from the 1970s
- — 100–150 mm loft insulation (far from sufficient by today's standards)
- — Oil boiler or central heating with radiators
Common weaknesses
- — Roof: Clay tile roofs last 50–70 years — many are at the end of their service life
- — Insulation: Loft and walls insulated to 1970s standards
- — Electrical: Consumer units from the 70s need updating
- — Plumbing: Cast iron and galvanised pipes are past their best
- — Basement: Damp concrete floors, leaking walls against soil
Typical costs
New clay tile roof (130–160 m²)
120,000–220,000 kr
Including underlayer, ridge and labour. . Source: Bolius
Window replacement (whole house)
60,000–120,000 kr
Energy glazing, 10–15 windows at 4,000–8,000 kr each. . Source: Bolius
New electrical installation
40,000–80,000 kr
Modernisation of consumer unit and circuits. . Source: Bolius
District heating connection (replacing oil boiler)
30,000–60,000 kr
Including unit installation and connection fee. Fjernvarme Horsens provides guidance on specific costs. . Source: Fjernvarme Horsens
Do you need an architect?
Probably not necessary for:
- — Roof replacement using the same materials
- — Loft insulation
- — New bathroom (no structural changes)
- — Window and door replacement
Architect recommended or required for:
- — Extension over 15 m²
- — Changes to load-bearing structure
- — Façade changes on heritage buildings
- — Apartment merger or floor plan changes
Apartment from 1950–1975
38% of homes in Horsens — approx. 18,375 dwellings (source: Statistics Denmark 2025)
Apartment buildings mainly in Horsens city and surroundings. Some social housing connected to Fjernvarme Horsens. Owner-occupied flats and co-operative housing require the owners' association's approval for façade changes.
What's typical?
- — Brick or concrete apartment building, typically 3–6 storeys
- — 60–90 m² apartment area
- — Flat roofs or shallow roof pitches
- — District heating via shared system
- — Original timber-aluminium windows or single glazing
Common weaknesses
- — Roof: Felt on flat roofs, typically 20–30 year lifespan
- — Windows: Leaking panel windows cause draughts and heat loss
- — Plumbing: Downpipes and concealed pipework are past their best
- — Moisture: Basements and parking decks are challenged
- — Lift: Many older buildings lack lifts
Typical costs
Bathroom renovation (apartment)
80,000–150,000 kr
Complete including tiles, fittings and plumbing. . Source: Bolius
Heating unit (district heating)
15,000–35,000 kr
Replacement of old heat exchanger. Fjernvarme Horsens provides guidance. . Source: Fjernvarme Horsens
Do you need an architect?
Probably not necessary for:
- — Interior apartment renovation
Architect recommended or required for:
- — Façade renovations and lift extensions
- — Roof renovation at building level
Terraced house from 1960–1990
12% of homes in Horsens — approx. 5,733 dwellings (source: Statistics Denmark 2025)
Horsens's terraced houses are typically from 1970–1985: brick, flat or shallow roof, small south-facing garden. Many are organised in co-operative or owners' associations, with shared maintenance budgets.
What's typical?
- — Brick terraced houses in one to one-and-a-half storeys
- — Flat or shallow pitched roof with felt
- — South-facing garden
- — District heating usually already installed
Common weaknesses
- — Roof: Felt lasts 20–30 years
- — Windows: Single glazing or early double glazing
- — Energy renovation of common areas
Typical costs
Energy renovation of terraced house
150,000–300,000 kr
Roof, windows and insulation. . Source: Bolius
Do you need an architect?
Probably not necessary for:
- — Interior renovation
Architect recommended or required for:
- — Extensions and façade changes
- — Renovation of shared building elements
Local conditions in Horsens.
local_fire_department District heating — Fjernvarme Horsens A/S
Fjernvarme Horsens A/S covers most of Horsens city with stable, green heat. If you have an oil boiler, connecting to district heating is almost always the best alternative — connection cost typically 30,000–60,000 kr including the heating unit. Many homeowners are eligible for conversion subsidies. Check fjernvarmehorsens.dk for whether your address is in the supply area.
account_balance Heritage value
Horsens has 74 listed buildings and 6,436 registered heritage buildings — of which 661 have high heritage value (SAVE 1–3). Older villas and patrician homes in the town centre are typically registered. If your home has high heritage value, façade changes require municipal approval.
Look up your address at the Danish Heritage Agency's FBB register
assignment Building permit in Horsens
Horsens Municipality processes building cases via Byg & Miljø. Roof replacement normally only requires notification. Extensions over 15 m² always require a permit. Façade changes on heritage buildings require a permit. Apply digitally via horsens.dk.
savings Grants for energy renovation
Heat pump scheme 2026: up to 15,000 kr via sparenergi.dk. The energy renovation scheme provides subsidies for insulation and windows. District heating conversion: ask Fjernvarme Horsens about current conversion offers.
Horsens in figures.
Data from Statistics Denmark (2025) and the Danish Heritage Agency — context for your property.
Dwellings total
6.3% vacancy rate
Listed buildings
Source: Danish Heritage Agency FBB
Social housing units
Source: Landsbyggefonden
CO₂ emissions by sector
Energy
149,206 tonnes CO₂
Transport
141,037 tonnes CO₂
Chemical processes
5,912 tonnes CO₂
Agriculture and land use
110,363 tonnes CO₂
Waste disposal and biogas
21,778 tonnes CO₂
Wastewater
2,306 tonnes CO₂
Frequently asked questions
about renovation in Horsens.
A new clay tile roof on a typical Horsens detached house (130–160 m²) costs 120,000–220,000 kr including labour, underlayer and ridge. Fibre cement sheets are cheaper: 90,000–170,000 kr. Source: Bolius (bolius.dk/udskiftning-af-tagbelaegning-17729)
Yes. Fjernvarme Horsens A/S covers most of Horsens city. Connection including a new heating unit typically costs 30,000–60,000 kr. It is almost always a better investment than a heat pump if district heating is available. Check fjernvarmehorsens.dk for your address.
A complete bathroom with tiles, fittings, toilet and shower costs 80,000–180,000 kr. Prices are 30,000–40,000 kr per m² — the larger the bathroom, the lower the cost per m². Source: Bolius (bolius.dk/hvor-meget-koster-et-nyt-badevaerelse-17458)
Roof replacement using the same material normally only requires notification (not a full building permit). Extensions over 15 m² always require a permit. Façade changes on heritage buildings require a permit. Horsens Municipality processes cases via horsens.dk/bolig/byggeriogejendom/byggetilladelser
74 buildings in Horsens are listed, and 6,436 have heritage value — of which 661 have high heritage value (SAVE 1–3). Older homes in the town centre are typically registered. Look up your address at fbb.kulturstyrelsen.dk or contact the Horsens Municipality building department.
Yes. Through the Danish Energy Agency's heat pump scheme you can get up to 15,000 kr towards a new heat pump (apply at sparenergi.dk). The energy renovation scheme provides subsidies for insulation and windows. If you have district heating, ask Fjernvarme Horsens about current conversion offers.
1) Roof: clay tiles last 50–70 years — check the age. 2) Loft insulation: most cost-effective investment, quick payback. 3) Heat source: switch oil boiler to district heating (if available) or heat pump. 4) Electrical installation: consumer units from the 70s need updating. 5) Bathroom: fittings and plumbing are past their best.
Horsens is a growth city with rising property prices. A well-renovated home with an energy rating of B sells faster and at a better price than an unrenovated one. Renovation typically saves 30–50 tonnes of CO₂ compared with demolition and new construction. Source: Bolius (bolius.dk/renovering-eller-nedrivning-hvordan-ser-oekonomien-ud-44647)
Next steps.
Energy certificate
Understand what the energy certificate says about your home and what is needed to improve it.
assignmentBuilding permit
When does renovation in Horsens require a building permit?
account_balanceHeritage value
What does the SAVE rating mean for your project, and when does the municipality impose special requirements?
Tell us about your project in Horsens.
We help homeowners in Horsens prioritise renovation and get started — from the first assessment to completed project.
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